About Us

The Ashe County Sheriff’s office announces the arrest of five individuals on charges of selling prescription drugs. Sheriff James Williams stated the arrest is the result of a six month long investigation by the Sheriff’s office narcotics division, and the SBI.

The following is a list of persons charged, and bond amounts. All the trafficking charges are level 3, which is the highest level of trafficking. Each is punishable by a minimum of 225 months, and a maximum of 279 months.

Dakota Collins, age 17, of Jefferson was arrested on March 29th. Collins is charged with trafficking opium by sell, trafficking opium by deliver, and conspiracy to traffic opium. Sell schedule 2, deliver schedule 2, and possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule2. He is currently under a $400,000 secured bond.

Taylor Smith of Fleetwood, age 16 was arrested March 30th. Ms. Taylor is charged with trafficking opium by possession, sell, and deliver, Trafficking by transport, and conspiracy to traffic opium, She is currently out on a $20,000 secured bond.

Matthew Duncan of West Jefferson, age18, arrested on March 29th, and charged with trafficking opium by sell, and deliver, and conspiracy to traffic opium. Mr. Duncan is in the Ashe Jail under a $400,000 secured bond.

Linda Benson of Crumpler, age 59, arrested March 29th and charged with trafficking opium by deliver, and conspiracy to traffic opium. Mrs. Benson is currently out on a $20,000 secured bond.

James Benson of Crumpler, age 63, arrested March 29th, and charged with trafficking opium by delivery, and conspiracy to traffic opium. Mr. Benson is currently out on a $20,000 secured bond.